CHAPTER 22: How he exhorted many who came to him to the ways of salvation and pointed out the weaknesses in the snares o
CHAPTER 22
How he exhorted many who came to him to the ways of salvation and pointed out the weaknesses in the snares of our old enemy
NOW Cuthbert had great numbers of people coming to him not just from Lindis farne but even from the remote parts of Britain, attracted by his reputation for miracles. They confessed their sins, confided in him about their temptations, and laid open to him the common troubles of humanity they were labouring under – all in the hope of gaining consolation from so holy a man. They were not disappointed. No one left unconsoled, no one had to carry back the burdens he came with. Spirits that were chilled with sadness he could warm back to hope again with a pious word. Those beset with worry he brought back to thoughts of the joys of Heaven. He showed them that both good fortune and bad were transitory in this world. To men beset with temptation he would skilfully disclose all the wiles of the devil, explaining that a soul lacking in love for God or man is easily caught in the devil’s nets, while one that is strong in the faith can, with God’s grace, brush them aside like so many spiders’ webs.
‘How often have the demons tried to cast me headlong from yonder rock; how often have they hurled stones as if to kill me; with one fantastic temptation after another they have sought to disillusion me into retreating from this battle-field; but they have never yet succeeded in harming either soul or body, nor do they terrify me.’
He very often stressed that the brethren ought not to marvel at his way of life, as though it were especially exalted to prefer to cast aside the cares of the world and live apart.
‘It is the monastic life you ought to stand in awe of. In that life everything is subject to the abbot; the times of prayer, fasting, vigils, and work are governed by his will. I have known many abbots who for purity of mind and depth of prophetic power have far surpassed my poor self – Boisil, for example, a man to be named with all honour and veneration. He was old and I but a youth when he brought me up in the monastery at Melrose. While he was instructing me he prophesied my whole future accurately. One of those prophecies has yet to happen; would to God it might not.’
Here he referred to Boisil’s prophecy that he would one day be a bishop. His desire for a more secluded life made him tremble at the thought.